ALERT!
This site is not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 (or older).
Please upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer or use an alternate browser such as Chrome or Firefox.
Journal and News Scan
August 24, 2016
Submitted by: Arie Blitz
This single-center retrospective study evaluated outcomes of ESRD patients undergoing valve surgery based on whether they received either a mechanical or tissue valve. The study spanned the years 2002-2014, and included 64 mechanical and 151 tissue valve replacements. Even after controlling for confounding variables--given the short expected survival in these patients--there is no salutary effect of using a mechanical over a tissue valve.
Comment: Given the morbidity of anticoagulation in, and the shorter lifespan of, ESRD patients, should we be using mechanical valves at all in these patients?
Cost Analysis of Physician Assistant Home Visit Program to Reduce Readmissions After Cardiac Surgery
August 23, 2016
Submitted by: Arie Blitz
This retrospective study analyzed the relative cost-effectiveness of a physician assistant home care (PAHC) program in terms of readmission rates, length of stay, and health care cost. The study hospital switched from a conventional discharge treatment plan (control) in September 2010 to a PAHC program. A total of 1,185 patients who were discharged home after cardiovascular surgery were included in the analysis.
The authors found the following:
- Readmission rates decreased by 41% for propensity-matched patients.
- There was no signifiant difference in LOS.
- Institution of the PAHC program saved $39 for every incremental dollar spent on the program.
Comment: Accordingly, this single center study suggests that the institution of a PA (or NP) home visit program may be extremely cost-effective. This is a strategy that may make a great deal of sense of bundling of payments for cardiovascular services becomes mainstream.
August 15, 2016
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
A small international prospective randomized trial of extended thymectomy with steroids vs steroids for 126 with class II to IV myasthenia gravis. The selection criteria and powering were altered mid-trial. Surgery was associated with a better symptom score, lower dose of predisone, less use of immunosuppresives, and fewer hospitalizations at 3 years. The positive outcomes are of surgical relevance as they may lead to a considerable increase of referrals for OPEN thymectomies! I assume that longer term outcomes will be forthcoming.
August 9, 2016
Submitted by: Ruben Osnabrugge
In this study the investigators aimed to study whether a cerebral protection device during TAVI reduced the number of cerebral lesions in patients undergoing TAVI.
In total, 100 patients undergoing TAVI between April 2013 and June 2014 were randomized to either the filter or control group. The number of new lesions at 2 days after TAVI, as measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI), was lower in the filger group (4.00 versus 10.00 in the control group, p<0.001). Also lesion volume was lower in the filter group. Adverse events were similar in the filter and control group.
This small randomized study shows that a cerebral protection device reduced the frequency of ischemic cerebral lesions after TAVI. Further larger studies are needed to assess the beneficial effect on neurological and cognitive functioning.
August 8, 2016
Submitted by: Joseph Basha
This is a retrospective study comparing outcomes of conventional 1:4 cardioplegia vs 4:1 Del Nido cardioplegia on adult patients undergoing CABG. 249 consecutive patients underwent coronary artery bypass using blood cardioplegia and 159 using del Nido Cardioplegia. Authors found no significances in CPB time, X-clamp time, in-hospital mortality or length of stay between these two groups. However, they found that patients with Del Nido had less defibrillation need, less blood transfusion rate and transfusion volume, as well as less Hgb change. Most patients had spontaneous return of sinus rhythm.
August 8, 2016
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
A bona fide new technique applied in a handful of low-risk deep sternal wound infections. It will be interesting to see the follow-up and perhaps some cardiothoracic surgical input to the efforts of the esteemed plastic surgical colleague who is the sole author.
August 5, 2016
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
The authors reviewed the role of mechanical thrombectomy in patients who develop strokes following cardiac surgery in their own center and from the literature. They conclude that mechanical thrombectomy is indicated for those patients who develop a stroke following cardiac surgery in whom systemic thrombolysis is contraindicated and when the thrombectomy can be performed within 6 hours of the onset of the stroke
August 5, 2016
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
This was a meta-analysis of 15 retrospective studies involving 7123 valve prostheses performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The results showed that bleeding complications were significantly higher with mechanical valves and that structural degeneration of tissue valves during the follow-up period was low. The authors concluded that in patients with ESRD, tissue valves should be the prosthesis of choice.
August 5, 2016
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
This study investigated the mechanical properties of ePTFE sutures used for artificial chordae during mitral valve repair. The study revealed that chordae greater than 3cm in length are associated with increased stiffness. This suggests that repairs, using minimally invasive OFF PUMP beating heart techniques, which anchor ePTFE neochordae to the ventricular apex, may have less durability than when anchored to the tips of the papillary muscles.
August 4, 2016
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Using a Taiwanese national database, the authors evaluated long-term survival after VATS vs open lobectomy for lung cancer using propensity matching and multvariate analyses. Among 5,222 patients, 2,164 (41%) had a VATS approach. Propensity matching yielded 1848 patients in each group. 5-year survival was similar for the VATS and open groups (68.7% vs 65.5%). Surgical resection was not an independent predictor of survival.